Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Hello! How are you all? I am still here...just in case you are wondering. I have decided to just slow down the posts a bit on the blog. My life is crazy busy and I realise that I do need to take some time to smell the roses so-to-speak! That doesn't mean that I am departing from this space, it just means that I might only post once or twice a week instead of 4-6 times per week. If you do want to keep up with my travels on a more regular basis then just follow me on instagram. I find instagram so quick and easy and I love following everyone else as well!! My instagram name is - annaspiro just in case you want to follow!!

Talking about Instagram I fell in-love with this beautiful picture Vogue Australia posted today of this old Vogue cover. Isn't is fabulous! I could design an entire room around the colours on that cover! So beautiful!!!xx

In other news our gorgeous Ally who joined our team at Black & Spiro a few months ago is currently in New York doing a bit of buying for us. She is also hunting for some very special things for an exciting event we have coming up early September...more on that later!! Look where she is right as I type this post....The Surf Lodge in Montauk! I can't wait to see all the gorgeous goodies she brings home for the store.

If you are around New Farm this week make sure you drop in as we have some beautiful new lamps just in! Look at these fabulous Teapot and Teacup lamps. So much fun and so well-priced!!

Have you visited Mr & Mrs G Riverbar yet? Did you like it?? If you go you must try the meatballs and have a Cosmo...you won't regret it.

And finally, I just adore this divine image which I have pinned on my pin-board at the moment as my inspiration for Summer! Lots of blue, green, yellow, coral and natural!!

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Sometimes we all crave a bit of a fresh new look in our homes. I know I'm always craving a bit of new here and a bit of new there. But it doesn't have to be an entire makeover of the lounge room or bedroom or dining room. It can just be a very simple addition like this little old cane table and blue and white planter pot and books which one of our very special Black & Spiro customers put together in her home last week. She popped into B&S last Saturday and picked up the table and put a few of her other B&S purchases on top with some fresh orchids in the pot. What a breath of fresh air and so easily, quickly and inexpensively thrown together!!

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

I'm so excited to finally share a few snapshots of the fabulous new bar I have been working on in the city here in Brisbane which just opened late this afternoon. Located right on the edge of the Brisbane River, Mr & Mrs G Riverbar has, in my humble opinion, one of the best views in Brisbane!

The bar is named after it's owners Marcia & Andy Georges who have owned and operated Il Centro Restaurant here in Brisbane for the past 20 years! The new bar is located just in front of their restaurant and is certainly the perfect place to spend an afternoon/evening with friends admiring the amazing view of the Story Bridge and enjoying wonderful tapas and of course a few drinks!

I worked with Marcia from conception of the bar. We chose all the fabrics, furniture, cushions, wallpaper, lights, tiles and finishes together and I think it has been a wonderful collaboration of ideas. One of my most favourite things is the wall of old photos, newspaper clippings, menus etc. which I came up with only last Monday! We were going to place a painting on the wall but I thought it would be so special to do a wall which explained to their customers who they are and their history in the restaurant industry here in Brisbane. I met with my beautiful framer last Tuesday and we selected some wonderful frames some of which were in his old shed. I couldn't believe my luck when I found some of the most wonderful vintage frames hidden away in the back of the shed. Everyone who has seen the wall is shocked to find out that all of the pieces have just been framed! They look like they have been away in a cupboard for years and years...just the look I wanted to achieve! In only 5 working days he framed up 29 pieces for our special wall and when we hung the wall yesterday there certainly were a few tears shed!!

And I am also thrilled that we were able to include a wall in the restaurant wallpapered in my Higgledy Piggledy Stripe wallpaper in the blue and white colourway. Oh and look up to the ceiling when you walk into the bathrooms!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings! I do hope you can pop in to enjoy the atmosphere at the new Mr & Mrs G Riverbar! I am sure it will exceed your expectations! It is truly divine and I am so proud to have been involved! Here's to another huge success for you Andy & Marcia and thank you for asking me to be involved in such a wonderful project!!xxAnna

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

I thought I would share a little sneak peek of the bar front at the new Mr & Mrs G Bar which I have been working on and which is set to open here in Brisbane by the end of next week!! We have used a patchwork of hand-painted blue and white tiles on the front of the bar as above! It's going to be such a beautiful place! I'll definitely post more pictures once it opens next week!!xxAnna

Monday, 2 July 2012

I must say I am a little bit obsessed with the poppies we are growing in our garden at the moment. They just seem to be sprouting out everywhere. Their ruffling petals are so pretty and the colours so bright and uplifting!! Here are a couple of photos I took on the weekend of some I cut for the house.xxAnna

I established this blog in 2006 so that I could record my inspirations, my thoughts and my work as an Interior Designer. Based in Brisbane, Australia, my store Black & Spiro is always filled with a unique collection of interesting things which we scour the globe to find. I am most passionate about my family, my career, tradition, collecting, flowers, fabric, gardening, colour and quality and I will always strive to be creative and extraordinary in everything I do. I hope I can inspire you to live a bright and colourful life surrounded by the things you love.